“These maps are too bright and colorful. Do you have any that look…older?”
The map trend has been around for a while, but seems to be ramping up. I completely understand the fascination with maps. I study them a lot myself, but the question is: If a hipster is asking an antiques’ dealer for maps that are less colorful and look more old, is the trend about to peak? Or will it just keep going like owls?
Apartment Therapy claims “Either Vintage or New Will Do!”
Design*Sponge has a wrap-up titled best of: maps
And sfgirlbybay also agrees that “maps seem to be everywhere in decor these days.”
With trends, its always a tough call. I still love the Ork typography maps that were everywhere a couple years ago. Foxes are super trendy right now, but they’re on the curtains in my kids’ room. Chalk board paint is on the wall in their playroom, another big trend. But, if we all recycle the same things we see over and over, than our spaces seem more referential to others’ tastes and styles than they do to us. I still think the best spaces have big personality and completely suit the inhabitants. I love West Elm, etc, but if we all have the same home accessories, it looks like we’re living in a realtor’s photo shoot, not our own homes. When I walk into someone’s space, I want to see a bit of themselves. I want to see what they read (although the kindle and colored coded book collections makes that harder) and where they’ve been. This personalized-design philosophy may seem at odds with the concept of an interior designer- paying someone else to help you design your space. But a good designer, I think, will take time to understand and get to know their client enough so it is reflective of the client. Good design is based on good collaboration. (Even if that collaboration results in owls and foxes and maps and succulents.)